Snug and Scenic Winter Stays in BC

Take your sourdough skills to a mountain retreat, your video calls into the woods, and your e-readers to cozy cabins with ocean views. Or, break up the typical routine, unplug, and let BC’s nature take care of the rest. Whatever your style this winter, find a new place to call home.

For winter storm watchers and surf seekers, Pacific Sands Beach Resort in Tofino has an on-site Surf Shack for rentals and lessons, and Surfside Grill serves up fish tacos perfect for post-surf refueling. For a “front row” storm watching experience, book the Storm Watchers package at The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, or check into the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort for their Storm Watching specials. Here, rooms perch above the rocky cliffs in Ucluelet and access to the Wild Pacific Trail is out the front door. For a funky, hip and retro stay, newly opened Hotel Zed in Tofino is a must.

On the Sunshine Coast

Discover beachfront properties and the lush rainforest of the Sunshine Coast along Highway 101, from Gibsons to Lund, and see which cozy spot calls out to you. For those coming from Vancouver Island, Powell River is just a BC Ferries sailing away from Comox, while Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver offers access from the mainland via Langdale.

In Lund, stay in a custom, hand-crafted cabin that juts out over the ocean at Lund Harbour House. Start the day with a stroll along the boardwalk to your dinner reservation in the harbour, followed by a moody, coastal walk in the rainforest before ending the day at your chosen hideaway.

Find more water-view rooms in Kelowna at The Cove Lakeside Resort, The Royal Kelowna, and the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort and enjoy strolls along the shoreline of Okanagan Lake with a view of snowy surroundings. And while you can’t dip into the lake this early in the season, consider dipping in and out of right-in-town wine tasting rooms instead (self-led, or book a wine tour).

For a cabin escape close to Kelowna, tour around the shores of Okanagan Lake and stay at Chute Lake Lodge.

In Kamloops, take in views of snow-dusted Mount Paul and the mighty Thompson River from a boutique bed and breakfast or downtown hotel. Hike or fat-bike the local trails before wandering the Kamloops Wine Trail to visit wineries with sprawling views and spacious tasting rooms.

In the South Okanagan

The sprawling, fertile landscape here means a high availability of locally sourced ingredients, even in winter. Acclaimed restaurants in this region offer travellers a chance to pair dining experiences with lakeview stays, as well as delicious local wine tasting.

In Osoyoos, check into the Walnut Beach Resort for rooms overlooking the lake and make dinner reservations at their Pointe 49 Kitchen & Bar. Bonus: Snowy adventures await at nearby Baldy Mountain Resort.

For an entirely different surrounding, rest easy at Spirit Ridge perched on a desert landscape of sagebrush hills in Osoyoos. Learn about living Indigenous culture with a self-guided tour at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre and sip on wine from the on-site winery, Nk’Mip Cellars.

Winter Ranch Stays

Indigenous-owned Big Bar Guest Ranch, northwest of Kamloops and just outside the small town of Clinton, has a team of staff maintaining two ice rinks, snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, and ice-fishing holes so you can choose your own adventure every morning. Warm up with hot cocoa around the Log Home’s indoor fire before tucking into a private log cabin of your own every night.

Myra Canyon Ranch, perched high above Kelowna, offers horseback riding out the ranch door. Take in a snowy, winter trail ride before curling up in one of their self-contained suites.

Access to Snowy Trails

In the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, pair snug stays with backcountry trails for perfectly balanced winter wonderland escapes. Choose to stay in the small towns and hideaways that dot the Gold Rush Trail, such as 100 Mile House or Horsefly.

For snowmobilers, access the nearby Gold Rush Snowmobile Trail; resort owners can help outfit guests to explore this 170-kilometre backcountry route between Horsefly and 70 Mile House.